Why Can’t You Evolve Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow?
Pikachu is the superstar among its fellow Pokemon. Not only is it a pretty able Electric Pokémon, it got so popular that Nintendo eventually gave the yellow mouse its own Game Boy and N64 games. In Pokémon Yellow, you start off with a special little Pikachu—one that gets angry when you store it in a Poké Ball. However, this version differs from Blue/Red counterparts.
The stats are the same, but Yellow Pikachu can learn Tail Whip, Double Team, Slam, Thunderbolt, and Lightscreen on its own. In contrast, Blue/Red Pikachu lacks those techniques but can learn Swift at level 26 (Yellow Pikachu has to learn it from a TM). This gives Yellow players a slight advantage, since they can use the powerful Thunderbolt technique at level 26.
- Note that there is only one Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow — and it can’t be directly evolved into a Raichu.
- You cannot evolve Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow. Your only option is to trade it to either the Red or Blue version and evolve it there with the Thunder Stone, then trade it back.
- Pikachu refuses to evolve in Pokémon Yellow because of the anime. While Raichu was originally present in Gen 1, it is established in the anime’s first season that Ash Ketchum’s partner Pokémon does not want to evolve.
- Pikachu doesn’t evolve by level-up; it can only evolve when you use a Thunder Stone on it. In Yellow, you can’t evolve it even if you try using a Thunder Stone on it, but if you trade it out, you can.
- Unlike many Pokémon that evolve at specific levels, Pikachu evolves into Raichu only through the use of a Thunder Stone. There is no level requirement for this evolution.
Trade Strategies for Evolving Pikachu: A Guide
To evolve Pikachu into Raichu in Pokémon Yellow, there are specific strategies to follow:
- Start with Pokémon Yellow and either Pokémon Red or Blue.
- Trade Pikachu into Pokémon Red/Blue.
- In either Pokémon Red/Blue, obtain a Thunder Stone.
- Use the Thunder Stone on Pikachu to evolve it into Raichu.
- Trade Raichu back to Pokémon Yellow if you want to keep it.
It’s important to note that in Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu will not evolve by itself, even if a Thunder Stone is used. Therefore, you don’t need to worry ing an Everstone since it doesn’t evolve by level up anyway. To ensure Pikachu doesn’t evolve by mistake, simply avoid using a Thunder Stone.
Some players choose to trade their Pikachu to other games, such as Pokémon Crystal, to evolve it and then trade it back. This is a common strategy among players who engage with Pokémon Yellow.
Is Pikachu Worth Keeping Un-evolved in Pokémon Yellow?
The only Pikachu you’ll find in Pokémon Yellow is an Electric-type that cannot be evolved. It follows you around, similar to Ash’s Pikachu on the television show. Unique to this Pikachu is the fact that it has emotions, which can be checked by talking to it. Additionally, this Pikachu learns Thunderbolt at level 25.
- It wasn’t really valuable; however, it was used a lot due to its resemblance to Ash’s Pikachu. Many trainers wanted to act like Ash in their games, and this is still a possibility today.
- Other than the fact that it learns Thunderbolt at level 25, it can’t evolve and it shows emotions, it isn’t really valuable.
- Pikachu is the first partner Pokémon given to the player by Professor Oak at the start of Pokémon Yellow. Due to its unique characteristics and mechanics, it is sometimes referred to unofficially as the ‘partner Pikachu’ to distinguish it from regular Pikachu from other games.
- Pikachu is unable to evolve in its original game. If the player tries to use a Thunderstone on it, Pikachu will shake its head in refusal. The game text will say ‘Pikachu is refusing!’, but this does not affect their friendship.
- Pikachu’s friendship with the player is crucial for receiving a Bulbasaur in Cerulean City.
- Additionally, Pikachu’s walking animation is faster if its friendship is equal to or higher than 80. In battle, Pikachu arrives from the side of the screen, instead of being sent from a Poké Ball, reflecting its unique status as the partner Pokémon.
- Although the player’s friendship with Pikachu does not have many uses in the game, it plays a vital role in the unique interactions and animations that occur, such as Pikachu’s reactions based on its emotional state. For instance, if Pikachu has just learned Thunder or Thunderbolt, it may shock the player if talked to, enhancing the player’s connection with this particular Pikachu.
- Pikachu rejecting its evolution isn’t the only unique quirk the Electric-type Pokémon has. It also refuses to go inside of its own Poké Ball, which is why the Starter Pokémon follows the player around in Pokémon Yellow.
- In Pokémon Yellow, a simple happiness system is in place for Pikachu. Although the only real thing this changes in-game is whether or not you get Bulbasaur, it is still a fun mechanic to play around with and adds a bit more depth to the game.
